Tamarind kernel powder co-induces xylanase and cellulase production during submerged fermentation of Termitomyces clypeatus

Abstract

Tamarind kernel powder (TKP), a soluble agro-residue, was used to examine the production of both cellulolytic and xylanolytic enzymes in a submerged culture of Termitomyces clypeatus, an edible mushroom. Soluble TKP containing xyloglucan as the major polysaccharide induced all cellulolytic and xylanolytic enzymes, and enzyme production increased up to 3% (w/v) TKP with culture filtrate consisting of xylanase and CMCase at a ratio of 4: 1 app. Strong catabolic repression of enzyme production was also observed with the soluble substrate, although fed-batch addition of soluble substrate at late growth phase modified the enzyme kinetics by improving the yield by 30%. The results indicate that inducers were possibly released from TKP by cellulose and xylan fractions of the lignocellulosic polymer. Therefore, the present study reports the successful economic utilization of TKP, an abundantly available soluble agro-residue, for the production of both cellulolytic and xylanolytic enzymes in a single fermentation method.